Mailbox Balloon

ABSTRACT

A decorative balloon is designed specifically to directly attach to an outer surface of a mailbox. The balloon may be an air-filled foil balloon and may include an inner pocket surface that hugs and snugly adheres to an outer surface of the mailbox.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates generally to decorative inflatable balloons and methods of locating decorative balloons to signify a location for an event or a celebration.

Decorative balloons are traditionally attached to mailboxes to draw attention to event celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, births, showers, etc. Conventionally, a decorative balloon inflated with helium is tethered to the mailbox with a string. Improvements are desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention negates a need for helium and also a need for string to attach a decorative balloon to the mailbox. Accordingly, the present invention is a decorative balloon constructed in a unique shape so that when filled with air it will snugly adhere to a mailbox.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a decorative balloon according to the present invention attached to a mailbox.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1 a decorative balloon 100 according to the present invention, sometimes referred to as a Mailbox Balloon Hugger, is an air-filled foil balloon designed specifically to directly attach to a mailbox 102 such as that shown for party decor. The balloon 100 is shown to include an inflatable body 103 including an inner pocket surface 104 having a complementary shape to an outer surface 106 of the mailbox 102. The outer surface 106 of the mailbox depicted in FIG. 1 is conventionally shaped to include opposing side surfaces 108, 110 that are substantially flat and parallel to one another, and a curved top surface 112. The pocket surface 104 of the balloon 100 accordingly includes opposing straight and parallel side surfaces 114, 116 and a curved surface 118. The pocket surface 104 of the balloon 100 therefor receives the outer surface 106 of the mailbox 102 on the top and the sides.

The inner pocket surface 104 of the balloon 100 is further provided with an adhesive that attaches directly to the outer surface 106 of the mailbox 102. More specifically, the inner pocket surface 104 hugs the mailbox 102 and snugly adheres to the outer surface 106 of the mailbox 102 without requiring an external tether such as a string that indirectly attaches the balloon 100 to the mailbox 102. By virtue of the hugging adhesive attachment, the balloon 100 can also be filled with air instead of helium.

The balloon 100 shown in the example of FIG. 1 is shaped asymmetrically and is proportioned to present an appearance of a bear wearing a party hat, holding a present with one arm, and with the other arm raised arm as shown communicating that “the party's here”. The bear further includes feet that are respectively located on opposite straight sides of the mailbox. The feet of the bear appear to hug the sides of the mailbox.

The party decor associated with the balloon 100 in contemplated embodiments may relate to parties such as a Birthday party, an Over the Hill party, a Graduation party, a Baby party, a Superbowl party, a Luau party, a Fiesta party, a Wedding/Engagement party, a Christmas party, a Halloween party, an Easter party, a Patriotic party, a St. Patrick's Day party, a Valentine's Day party and the balloon may be accordingly configured in a size, shape, and appearance to complement any such seasonal or party-related theme. 

1. A decorative balloon for a mailbox having an outer surface, the decorative balloon comprising: an inflatable body; and a surface provided on the inflatable body that is configured to directly attach to the outer surface of the mailbox.
 2. The decorative balloon of claim 1, wherein the inflatable body is filled with air.
 3. The decorative balloon of claim 1, wherein the balloon is a foil balloon.
 4. The decorative balloon of claim 1, wherein the surface provided on the inflatable body comprises an inner pocket surface that hugs and snugly adheres to the outer surface of the mailbox.
 5. The decorative balloon of claim 1, wherein the balloon is shaped to complement a party theme.
 6. The decorative balloon of claim 5, wherein the party theme relates to at least one of a Birthday party, an Over the Hill party, a Graduation party, a Baby party, a Superbowl party, a Luau party, a Fiesta party, a Wedding/Engagement party, a Christmas party, a Halloween party, an Easter party, a Patriotic party, a St. Patrick's Day party, or a Valentine's Day party.
 7. The decorative balloon of claim 1, wherein the inflatable body is asymmetrical.
 8. The decorative balloon of claim 1, wherein the balloon is shaped like an animal.
 9. The decorative balloon of claim 1, wherein the balloon is shaped like a bear.
 10. The decorative balloon of claim 1, wherein the surface provided on the inflatable body is shaped to receive the outer surface of the mailbox.
 11. The decorative balloon of claim 1, wherein the surface provided on the inflatable body is extendable over opposing side surfaces and a curved top surface of the mailbox.
 12. A decorative balloon for a mailbox having an outer surface, the decorative balloon comprising: an inflatable body; and an inner pocket surface provided on the inflatable body that is configured to receive the outer surface of the mailbox and directly attach to the outer surface of the mailbox.
 13. The decorative balloon of claim 12, wherein the balloon is filled with air.
 14. The decorative balloon of claim 12, wherein the balloon is a foil balloon.
 15. The decorative balloon of claim 12, wherein the inner pocket surface is shaped to hug the outer surface of the mailbox and to snugly adhere to the outer surface of the mailbox.
 16. The decorative balloon of claim 12, wherein the inner pocket surface includes opposing side surfaces and a curved surface in between.
 17. A method of attaching a decorative balloon to a mailbox to signify a location of an event, the method comprising: shaping and configuring an inflatable balloon body to signify the event, wherein the inflatable balloon body includes an inner pocket surface configured to hug an outer surface of the mailbox; and providing an adhesive on the inner pocket surface.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising adhering the inner pocket surface of the balloon to the outer surface of the mailbox.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein adhering the inner pocket surface of the balloon to the outer surface of the mailbox comprises adhering the inner pocket surface of the balloon to at least one of a flat side surface and a curved side surface of the mailbox.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising filling the balloon with air. 